Credit for creating this tour and its documentation must go to Jim Clark, Past Chairman of the Wilbraham Historical Commission, the contributing authors, and Charles Merrick, editor of The History of Wilbraham, published in 1964.
This walking tour is dedicated to the memory of Jim Clark who died in February 1994.
The village set aside this land for the Burying Ground in 1736, at the foot of a hill that would later lead to the site of the future Meeting House. The first recorded death in the community was that of young David Jones, son of David and Hannah Jones, who passed away on August 19, 1736. Unwilling for his child to be the first interred in the new burial ground, David Jones Sr. instead laid his son to rest in the Old Springfield Cemetery. Two additional deaths occurred in the village before 1741, and like David, both were buried in Springfield.
The first burial in the Burying Ground was that of Elizabeth Cockril, a 39-year-old widow from Boston, who died on April 26, 1741, while visiting her sister, the wife of Samuel Warner. After she fell ill and passed away, Samuel Warner took it upon himself to bury her here. Though not a stonecutter by trade, Warner found two flat stones, carving her name and date of death into them to mark her resting place. Today, her grave—the first in the Burying Ground—can be found in the southeast quarter of the old section.
For a comprehensive history of Adams Cemetery, please visit *Wilbraham Historical Tidbits* at “[Ye Olde Burying Ground](https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/ye-olde-burying-ground).”
The historical tour will begin at Placard No. 1 at the Center Entrance Road.
No. 1. The hearse house was removed in 1871 and was located in this area. Today, the original hearse house can be found in the back of the Old Meeting House Museum at 450 Main Street in Wilbraham.
No 2. Asaph King 1-14-15 (1834-88). In January of 1787, during Shays' Rebellion, Shays had quartered his men in Wilbraham. A decision was made by Asaph King, then Deputy Sheriff, Abel King, Dr. Samuel Merrick, and Deacon Noah Warriner to send Asaph King to warn General Shepard of the Armory in Springfield of the coming of Shays' men. This conflict was aborted by Asaph riding his horse in deep snow from Wilbraham to the Springfield Armory. For more about the story of the men who saved the Armory in Springfield, click the link https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/the-wilbraham-men-that-helped-save-the-federal-armory
No. 3. Warner Children 3-127-128. David (1746), this was the second burial in Adams Cemetery. Daniel (1748-13), Jerusha (1749-9)
No. 4. Deacon David Adams 4-205 (1886-91). Adams Cemetery was named after the Adams family whose home is due east of the cemetery at the corner of Main Street and Tinkham Road. Deacon David Adams was the grandson of John Adams, a Deacon. Adams Cemetery was originally known as The Burying Ground, Old Yard, and The Center Cemetery.
No. 5. Elizabeth Cockril 5-240-241 (1741-39). Elizabeth died suddenly when visiting her sister and brother-in-law, Samuel Warner. She had come from Boston and became the first burial in this cemetery. The two stones were found and cut by Samuel Warner. To quote Dr. Samual F. Merrick, "Mr. Warner, tho he was not a stone man, he got two flat stones and engraved her name, and the time of her death, and that was the first grave." The inscription reads as follows: Headstone E. C. IS the FirST THAT IS LAID HEAR Footstone HEAR Lys the Body of ELiSAbeth Cock ril Wo Dyed ApriL ye 26 1741 E A G 39
No. 6. Hannah and Isaac Colton 7-335-336 (1754-20) (1756-26). Isaac was killed by the enemy at Lake George, N.Y. during the French and Indian War. The stone marks the burial location of Hannah and the memory of Isaac. In those days, there was no way to transport a body back from Lake George to Wilbraham
No. 7. Noah Alvord 7-332-333 (1763-62). Noah was the second settler in the Outward Commons, now Wilbraham. His house which was built in 1732 is still standing on the east side of Main Street, at 648. The first was Nathaniel Hitchcock who came here in 1730-31. His house was located on the west side of Main Street at 603. Notice the inconsistency in spelling the name Alvard or Alvord and also the stone-cutters runover of words.
No. 8. Reverend Noah Merrick 8-427 (1776-66). This is one of the four table monuments in Adams Cemetery. They were used to commemorate people of distinction. Rev. Noah Merrick was born in Springfield in 1711 and in 1741 became the first Minister in the Outward Commons, now Wilbraham. The town built a house and Meeting House for him near the intersection of Tinkham and Bolles Road. The Meeting House was located approximately 30 rods (500 feet) southward from that intersection on the south side of Tinkham Road while the Reverend Merrick's house was located closer to the intersection. The town also set aside two lots for the Minister's use. For more about Rev. Noah Merrick, click the link https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/abigail-and-the-parson-s-rose-of-1744
No.9. Abigail Merrick 8-418-419 (1799-16). Nabby Merrick was one of the six who drowned in the sailboat tragedy on Nine Mile Pond on April 29, 1799. Her body was found sixteen days later. People had come from surrounding towns to assist in the search. A cannon was even fired at the pond in hopes of causing the body to rise to the surface. The boat itself was draped in black, placed on a wagon, and shown in surrounding towns. (See also # 18, 19, and 31).
No. 10. Lt. Thomas Merrick 8-406 (1785-??). Lt. Merrick has one of four table monuments here. He was a veteran of the French and Indian War. He was the father of Timothy Merrick (see #14) who died August 7, 1761, from a rattlesnake bite thus becoming the subject of the Ballad of Springfield Mountain.
No. 11. Clara Guthrie 8-401 (1882-31 or 32). Notice the newer type of dark polished granite. The inscription reads "August 30, 1882, Here died and here with her forefathers sleeps the beautiful and charming Clara Merrick, wife of James B. Guthrie of New Orleans.
No. 12. Ezra Barker 9-442-443 (1801-80). Since he could write as not many could. He became the town clerk and schoolmaster of the town. Ezra had a very sad life as his first wife, Miriam, died in childbirth at the age of 22 in 1754. She is buried with her stillborn daughter (monument 9-444-445). His second wife, Ann (not buried here), had three children who died in infancy. Her twin sons, Clement and Apelles are buried in one grave (9-446-449) and her son Ira in one grave (9-448-449).
No. 13. Captain James Shaw 10-549-550 (1831-92). He was Captain of the company from Wilbraham that went to the Bennington VT, alarm and the battle that took place in August 1777.
No. 14. Timothy Merrick 10-496-497 (1761-22). Here lies the inspiration for the Ballad of Springfield Mountain, a folk song known and sung throughout the area. He died on Friday, August 7, 1761, from a rattlesnake bite in two to three hours. In the dry summer months, snakes came down from the mountain. He was mowing hay in the fields just south of Oakland Street when the tragedy occurred just a short time before he was due to be married to Sarah Lamb. He had built a house for his bride-to-be at what is now 1004 Main Street. Samuel Warner made this entry in his journal. "Timothy, son of Thomas Mirick and Mary Mirick, was bit by a ratel snake on August the 7th, 1761, and dyed within about two or three ours he being twenty two years two months and three days old and very near the point of marridge". The Ballad of Springfield Mountain was probaly one of the earliest original American ballads. For the complete story, click on the link https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/timothy-merrick-s-tragic-death
No. 15. Deacon Nathaniel Warriner 10-492 (1780-77). This is another of the table monuments. He was a wealthy man and in his will, he left a legacy to the ministry and the schools. He was the fourth settler in the Outward Commons now Wilbraham. He was the moderator at the Town Meetings. The stone gives several details of his life.
No.16. John Jones 11-588-589 (1757-21)? and
No. 17. Nathenial Sikes 11-590-591 (1760-32) Both of these stones are cenotaphs (memorial stones remembering persons buried elsewhere). Both of these men were soldiers in the French and Indian War. John Jones was killed at Quebec, Canada in 1757 and Nathanial Sikes was killed at Fort Edward in 1760. Fort Edward, a notable English fort, was located at the lower end of Lake George near the town of Fort Edward, N.Y.
No. 18. The unfortunate Bliss Children 12-646-647. Gordon (1799-28), Leonard (1799-22), Asenath (1799-16). These are three of the six young people who drowned in Nine Mile Pond on April 29, 1799, in the sailboat tragedy. Leonard's body was found that night and Gordon's and Asenath's bodies were recovered the next day. They are all buried in this one grave. For the complete story of the drowning, click the link. https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/the-melancholy-event-of-1799
No. 19. Guy Johnson 12-656-657 (1799-24). Guy Johnson was another of those who drowned in the sailboat tragedy on April 29, 1799. He was from Tolland, CT, and visited the Bliss children when the tragedy occurred.
No. 20. Horace Clark 16-839 (1884-81). He was a Selectman during the Civil War and was responsible for meeting all of the quotas for the Army and Navy. He was also of great help to the families that needed aid when their sons went off to war.
No. 21. Clement A. Barker 16-824. (1910-74) He was one of the many Civil War soldiers from Wilbraham. "Unioin Defender" is engraved on his stone.
No. 22. Reverend Aaron Woodward 18-926 (1840-79). There are seven Woodward stones in this lot. Aaron's has 16 lines about his life. His wife Martha has 8 lines (1854-88). Daughter Doreas has just a date (1852-81). Daughter Elizabeth has an anchor and the word "Hope" (1837-33). Daughter Jerusha has just a date (1880-79). Daughter Elisha has no inscription. Daughter Angelina (1887-78). Norman Moore has no date. This is an unusual gravesite.
No. 23. Dr. Samuel F. Merrick 9-485 (1836-84). Dr. Merrick was the physician in Captain Shaw's Company who took part in the Bennington Alarm in 1777. He lived at 603 Main Street, where the house has been gone for over a hundred years. He was one of those who took part in the meeting to send Asaph King to the Springfield Armory to report Shay's movements thus helping to abort the rebellion. In 1805, Dr. Merrick conducted an examination of the murder victim of Marcus Lyon at Sykes Tavern. A jury was assembled, and the body was respectfully prepared for their inspection. Evidence was meticulously gathered, and after thorough deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict: Wilful Murder. For more information on the Marcus Lyon. click the link https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/traveling-to-the-north-parish-and-beyond-then-to-the-gallows
No. 24. "Fair" Julia Burley 7-399-400 (1858-23). This beautiful white sandstone has an outstanding epitaph with an angel at the top. The footstone has a hand pointed heavenward with the words, "She was too lovely for earth and has sought rest in heaven." The headstone reads: "Dear Julia's gone and her eyes forever closed. On mortal joys and mortal woes, her spirit gone to God above Joins in the anthem God is love. In her loveliness were concentrated she possessed simatry of form Her cheeks wore the tincture of rose and lily With ruby lips her bright blue eyes beamed forth with gentleness and love, And her long tresses of dark brown hair ever gracefully adorned her snow white forehead, And her dress was that of neatness, but in her mind dwelt her greatest charms, Her meekness patience charity, benevolence, and love, were seldom surpassed For her many mourn, but if they follow her example they will meet her in heaven. E. Bradley - Springfield."
No. 25. Reverend Edward Hyde 7-394 (1832-46). He was steward of the Academy, now Wilbraham Monson Academy, and was very well-liked by the students.
No. 26. J. Albert Collins 5-286 (1864-22). He was a Civil War soldier. This "Union Defender" died in prison at Miller, Georgia. In a letter to his sister, he wrote, "What you feed the hogs is better than what we get to eat." His epitaph reads: "A martyr to freedoms cause In memory of dear Albert gone Here we raise this sculptured stone His body lies in southern fields And here we will his memory shield.
No. 27. Warren Collins 5-274 (1887-85). He founded Collins Paper Mill and had a hotel and stable at the present site of 2821 Boston Road. For more information about the Collins Paper Mill, click the link https://david-bourcier.wixsite.com/wilbraham-tidbits/post/collins-paper-mill-part-1-of-2
No. 28. Grace Collins 5-283 (1872-4). This is the grave of the lamb-stone.
No. 29. Henry Bridgeman Brewer 3-184 (1878-61). Henry was a Selectman and Treasurer for the Town of Wilbraham. He was a missionary and went to Oregon in 1839.
No. 30. John and Bettsey Adams 2-112 (1850-65, 1864-78). They lived on the adjoining property in the Adams family home at the corner of Main Street and Tinkham Roads.
No. 31. Mary Warriner 2-99-100 (1799-16). Her body was found the same day of the sailboat tragedy in April 1799 when six young people drowned in Nine Mile Pond on Boston Road.
No. 31a. Lt. Noah Stebbins 2-92-93 (1818-77). He was in Captain James Shaw's company that took part in the Bennington, VT Alarm and the battle that took place there in August 1777. This is an excellent sandstone as the lettering is cut so perfectly and the stone has weathered so well.
No. 32. Moses Colton 10-537-538 (1777-53). He died of smallpox. There were a number of diseases that are treatable today which our forebears were helpless to treat. Grace Warriner, who died in 1778 at the age of 31, also succumbed to this disease.
No. 33. Thankful Experience Colton 10-539-540 (1775-16). There are many graves in the cemetery with unusual names. Others are Diadema, Roxevenia, and Pelatiah.
No. 34. Captain David Shields 17-863-864 (1843-85). He was a patriot who served during all the years of the Revolutionary War. He was a prisoner of war for eight months during that period.
No. 35. Joseph Cutt and Caesar Mirick. These memorials are located north of the northwest corner of the historic section. These memorials have been placed in the area where these two Revolutionary War veterans are believed to be buried. Both were Afro-Americans and were probably both slaves. Slaves were often given the surnames of their owners. They were buried in unmarked graves so only written and verbal reports can verify that these two veterans are buried here. It is known that internments have been made in this area by observation of the disturbance of the lower soil layers along the back western fence. The memorials were requested by the Veteran's Administration in 1994.
No. 36. 1st. Lt. Bruce Crawford (1993) and 2nd. Lt. Dorothy Crawford (1992). These memorials are located about 50' east of the northeast corner of the Historic Section. At the time of this writing, some WWII veterans have been laid to rest in Adams Cemetery. Among them are Bruce and Dorothy Crawford. Before the entry into WWII by the United States, some American pilots voluntarily joined the "Eagle Squadron of the R.A.F.", a squadron of Americans who took an active part in the Battle of Britain and the raids on the European continent. Bruce Crawford was one of these patriots. When the U.S. entered the war in 1941, the Squadron was transferred to the Army Air Corps. The Air Corps was not an independent branch of the military at that time. Sometime later, Dorothy, a member of the Army Nurse Corps arrived in England and served our country there. She represents not only those women who actively served but also those thousands who could only wait.
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